'Dedicated family man' who has 'learnt his lesson'

Mr Vozella said the former public servant had "withdrawn from society" due to "salacious" media attention paid to his case.

"[He is] not leaving the home for fear of being recognised in the community," he said.

Mr Vozella also described the illegal brothel owner as a "dedicated family man" who had "learnt his lesson".

The defence urged Dr Bernadette Boss to consider a non-conviction order, as his client "wishes to return to the public service" and had already been punished enough after losing his job as a COMCAR driver.

But in sentencing, Dr Boss insisted she was "not persuaded the defendant was acting in altruism" by employing the women.

Dr Boss said Brendas had gained "clear financial advantage" from the illegal operation — amounting to about $800 over the 10 days Brendas claimed the brothel had been operating.

And she said he ought to be aware of the rules and regulations in this area as he was also involved in the operation of a legal brothel in Fyshwick.

Magistrate Boss said a general deterrence was needed in handing down Brendas's sentence, for the protection of "vulnerable" brothel workers.

Since the airing of the gut-wrenching documentary Leaving Neverland, many of us have wrestled with an uncomfortable, yet essential question: given everything we know, can we continue listening to Michael Jackson's music?